A wound care clinic nurse survived a serious hiking injury after being impaled by a trekking pole and subsequently hiked 10 miles to safety. David Cifaldi was climbing Montana's Granite Peak on July 20 when the accident occurred.
While hiking with two friends at an elevation of approximately 11,800 feet, Cifaldi stepped on loose rock and fell forward. His trekking pole went through his back, protruding from both sides. According to a GoFundMe page set up by a friend, there were about 8 inches between the two holes where the pole entered and exited his body.
Cifaldi, a former emergency room nurse, assessed his condition calmly. The GoFundMe page stated that there was no significant bleeding, he had full sensation, and no vital organs were impacted. He then made the decision to self-rescue rather than await extraction.
Self-Rescue
Cifaldi hiked approximately 10 miles back to the trailhead with the pole still impaled in him. During the descent, he asked a friend to alert other hikers to prevent children from encountering him unexpectedly. After reaching the trailhead, he was driven to an emergency room in Billings, the closest hospital equipped to remove the pole. The pole remained in place for an estimated 8 to 9 hours from the time of the fall until its removal.
Cifaldi described the incident as "just kind of a freak thing." He told local outlet KTMF, "I think my nurse brain clicked on." He added that once he determined the injury was not immediately life-threatening, he was confident he could descend the mountain under his own power. He expressed feeling "very lucky" that the pole's trajectory did not result in a more severe outcome.
Cifaldi is now undergoing ongoing care, with the possibility of surgery still pending. News of his ordeal prompted supportive comments on social media forums dedicated to unusual news stories, with users praising his resilience and determination.